Domaine Naturaliste Artus Chardonnay 2021

After nearly three decades working closely with producers in Margaret River, Western Australia, renowned winemaker Bruce Dukes launched Domaine Naturaliste – his own range of highly acclaimed wines. An homage to the region where he honed his craft, Domaine Naturaliste is a space for Bruce to demonstrate his mastery of the classic Margaret River varietals. Applying decades of international and local knowledge spanning terroir, fruit selection, palate and aroma, Domaine Naturaliste wines are balanced, complex and delicious.

Domaine Naturaliste Artus Chardonnay is an artistic translation of the local Gin Gin clone into wine. It is a provocative, complex and textural wine exuding the seductive spirit of “old world” chardonnay. The vines have been managed to allow only dappled light into the fruiting zone. This promotes flavour development, low tannins and bright levels of natural acidity. The fruit is farmed in the cool southern end of Margaret River. The tiny 100g Gin Gin clusters are hand harvested at first light to preserve freshness of fruit.

Flavours of fresh nectarines and candied pecan nuts are supported by aromas of poached pears and marzipan.

It is sleek, glassy and svelte, defined by cool acid and a mineral spool of phenolic tension. So, this 2021 Artus Chardonnay is exactly that. It is nuanced and detailed, mineral and rocky, shaped as it is by malolactic fermentation and rich, toasty oak. It's gently reductive, pillowy and cushioned yet precise and tight. Gotta love that southern acidity. It is still coming together. It will be so much better in a year or more. I love this wine. Drink 2024-2037 - Erin Larkin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 Points.

The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Chardonnay
Country - Australia
Region - Margaret River, Western Australia
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13%
Closure - Screw Cap